Montana has 402 school districts and 826 schools. During the 2020-2021 school year, there were 101,120 students enrolled in K-12 public schools. About 45% of students are eligible for free or reduced price lunch in Montana. There is no policy that names a school climate measure like a survey, but the other policies that Montana has specify certain aspects of school climate. The policies include those addressing bullying prevention, school safety plans, positive behavior supports, suicide prevention, mental health services, family engagement, community service education, and special education.
Safety
There is currently no policy surrounding School Climate in Montana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center
10.55.701 Bullying Harassment and Intimidation Policy:
Each school district shall make available to the staff and public policies addressing bullying, hazing, intimidation, and harassment of students and meeting the requirements in ARM 10.55.719.
10.55.801:
The local board of trustees shall develop policies, procedures, and rules that respect the rights of all learners, promote an awareness of and concern for the well-being of others, and address bullying, intimidation, and harassment of students and school personnel.
10.55.719 Bullying Policy—Consequences:
Each district’s policies and procedures must include at a minimum a disciplinary procedure establishing the consequences for students found to have committed behavior prohibited.
Who does this protect? Students, minorities
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
20-1-401 School Safety Plans:
Local entities are required to periodically create safety plans.
- There should be 8 disaster/hazard drills annually.
- School security personnel, other employees, concealed carry permit holders are not explicitly authorized to possess weapons in school.
https://c0arw235.caspio.com/dp/b7f93000c2d5ebbb8c0942df8403?st=Montana
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Teaching/Learning
10.55.801: Family Engagement Plans:
The local board of trustees shall provide programs and services that meet the needs of students which the school has identified as at-risk, encourage the active involvement of parents, families, and guardians in their children’s education and in their school and provide opportunities for parents, families, guardians, educators, and members of the community to take active roles in developing and reviewing district and school educational goals.
https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/family-engagement/family-engagement-plans/montana
Who does this protect? Students, students with disabilities
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Interpersonal Relationships
10.55.701 Family Engagement Plans:
The local board of trustees shall offer programs and services which, in content and presentation, endeavor to be free of stereotyping in terms of age, sex, religion, race, origin, or handicapping condition
https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/family-engagement/family-engagement-plans/montana
Institutional Environment
10.55.701 Board of trustees:
School district shall make available to the staff and public families actively participate in the life of the school and feel welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class etc..
10.55.801 School Climate:
Local board of trustees shall encourage the active involvement of parents, families, and guardians in their children’s education and in their school.
https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/family-engagement/family-engagement-plans/montana
Who does this protect? Family, Student
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
10.55.721 Hazard and Emergency Plans:
A local board of trustees shall adopt a policy addressing a school safety plan or emergency operations plan.
20.9.236 Transfer of funds – improvements to school safety and security:
A school district may transfer state or local revenue from any budgeted or non budgeted fund to its building reserve fund to planning for improvements to and maintenance of school and student safety.
10.55.908 School Facilities:
- (1) School facilities shall be constructed, maintained, and supervised in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal codes, regulations, and laws.
- (2) School facilities shall be of sufficient size and arrangement to meet all programs’ educational goals.
- (3) The local board of trustees shall provide for educational facilities which are functional and safe for the conduct of the educational and extracurricular activities of students, and which will meet federal accessibility standards.
- (4) The school shall provide the necessary equipment for first aid.
- (5) When the local board of trustees considers major remodeling or building a facility, it shall seek facility expertise in all affected program areas as well as comments from faculty, students, and community.
- (6) The local board of trustees shall have a written policy that defines the use of school facilities and resources.
http://mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=10%2E55%2E908
Who does this protect? Students, staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Social Media
10.58.705 School principals, supervisors, and curriculum directors:
- The program requires that successful candidates:
- facilitate the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a school or district vision of learning supported by the school community.
- collaboratively develop, implement, and promote a commitment to a shared vision and mission integrated throughout the school system through communication skills, including listening to multiple audiences, knowledge of school staff, and aligning decisions with organizational vision.
10.55.714 Professional development:
- Defines professional development and it’s parameters
Teachers and specialists shall annually complete professional development pursuant to the requirements of 20-1-304 and 20-4-304, MCA, including a minimum of three pupil instruction related:
- (PIR) days dedicated exclusively to professional development.
- The local board of trustees shall establish an advisory committee to evaluate the school district’s current school year professional development plan; and develop and recommend a plan for the subsequent school year.
http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=10.55.714